Hon. George Ashiru is the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Lagos State. In this most engaging interview with Emmanuel Olu, he speaks on the political situation in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, the state of the ADC, and the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections, among other critical national issues. EXCERPTS:
How is the level of preparation by the ADC for the 2027 general elections?
The ADC nationwide is the party that many Nigerians are banking on to win and form a people-oriented government from May 29, 2027. Considering that we are about 14 months away from the general elections and we do not yet have candidates, the groundswell of passion and optimism surrounding the ADC is truly astounding.
In Lagos, we are witnessing a massive surge in membership and mobilisation. On a weekly basis, events are taking place across the 20 local government areas. We are ready, and we will get to the promised land.
Do you have confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible election in 2027, and how would you assess the commission’s preparedness?
There is a saying that people don’t do what you expect; they do what you inspect. The ADC is therefore not going to take the neutrality and competence of the electoral umpire for granted.
We will actively monitor the entire electoral process to ensure that the outcomes are just, free, and fair, and that the results announced are a true reflection of the will of the people.
Are you confident that the APC will still perform better than other political parties in the 2027 elections?
All one needs to do is conduct a vox populi among voters across Nigeria. Nigerians are tired of ten years of broken promises by the ruling party, as well as attempts to rebrand and whitewash a decade of economic mismanagement that has left citizens poorer than they were ten years ago.
I am confident that Nigerians are yearning for genuine change.
With current alliances being discussed—ADC, LP, PDP, NNPP, and others—do you foresee another grand coalition like we saw in the past?
The ADC is the coalition. Unlike other so-called alliances of existing parties, political heavyweights across Nigeria from major political platforms have adopted and coalesced into the ADC.
We expect other parties to heed the yearnings of Nigerians and join a true national alliance that will form a credible and democratic government after the 2027 elections under the banner of the ADC.
What issues do you envisage will determine voting patterns in the 2027 elections?
I will be cautious about disclosing our observations and data-driven insights. However, it is clear that voting patterns have shifted and that a new political paradigm has emerged.
Politics and information management are evolving rapidly, and the ADC has captured the demographic that represents this paradigm shift.
What is your assessment of current political developments, especially with governors and politicians defecting to the APC?
Governors and elected officials obtained their mandates from the people under specific political platforms and manifestos in 2023. Suddenly, just two years later, without consulting those same voters, they defect to the ruling party to protect personal interests rather than the people’s mandate.
In 2027, the voters will respond decisively. It is as simple as that.
What are your fears or concerns about the 2027 general elections?
Our concerns are based on empirical observations: voter marginalisation, particularly in Lagos State; the possible use of violence and repression against voters who wish to freely exercise their franchise; and the dangerous attempt to inject ethnic and tribal sentiments into campaigns in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos.
Even as a Yoruba man, I have witnessed fellow Yorubas resorting to ethnic lineage to question my right to vote, lead, or be voted for. A nation that continues to divide itself along such lines can never be truly great.
Do you believe Nigeria urgently needs electoral reforms?
Absolutely. Electoral reforms, alongside civil service reforms, are critical to achieving sustainable democratic, economic, and social transformation. Both are interconnected.
The electoral process is managed by public servants who are often underpaid, undertrained, and vulnerable to political pressure. The so-called “independence” of the system will remain nominal until reforms effectively insulate electoral managers from external manipulation.
Do you believe the 2027 election will reflect the will of the people?
Our duty is to ensure that it does—and to enforce that will through lawful means.
How do we unite and safeguard Nigeria’s democracy from the threat of authoritarianism?
Our campaign will be inspirational and unambiguous: Nigeria is not for sale, and Lagos is nobody’s property. That is why our slogan is “Global Lagos! Lagos for All.”
At the national level, our leaders will echo this timeless truth—Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must never return to authoritarianism, whether in military or civilian form.
What is your take on vote-buying, considering past elections?
When voters lack credible alternatives, they become vulnerable to compromise. Sadly, history shows that some politicians are willing to buy consciences and mortgage the people’s future.
Those who succumbed in 2023 are now living with the consequences: skyrocketing rent, increased electricity tariffs, crushing inflation, and worsening poverty. Will Nigerians accept a few thousand naira and endure four more years of suffering? I think not.
What are your expectations for the 2027 elections?
I have faith in Nigerian voters to choose wisely and defend their votes in 2027. I am confident that Lagosians—and Nigerians at large—will vote ADC from top to bottom.
How would you rate the Tinubu-led administration in terms of economic policy and governance?
If you visit a hospital for treatment and your condition worsens after the prescribed remedy, the logical conclusion is that the doctor—and the hospital—are incompetent.
Nigerians have overwhelmingly condemned the impact of this administration’s policies. Impunity is rife, high-handedness is extreme, and the ruthless implementation of unpopular policies is alarming. While the government publishes impressive-sounding statistics, the lived reality of Nigerians tells a different story.
What we are witnessing is an ultra-capitalist approach that neglects the poor while enriching the already wealthy. Income per capita continues to decline, purchasing power is weak, and human development indices place Nigeria among the lowest globally. Most troubling is the absence of empathy from those implementing these policies.
How do you react to President Donald Trump’s comments directed at President Bola Tinubu over insecurity and the killing of Christians?
The American president has identified gaps in Nigeria’s security architecture and responded in his characteristic manner. As a patriot, I do not support any attack on Nigeria.
However, it is equally troubling for the government to downplay the severity of our security challenges. The ADC has consistently emphasized the need for a comprehensive national security strategy—one that addresses not only terrorism and crime but also their root causes: poverty and inequitable resource distribution.
What is your reaction to the recent court judgment sentencing Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment?
This matter may still be subject to appeal, so as a party, we will refrain from official comment. On a personal level, my prayer is that all stakeholders continue to engage constructively to resolve the underlying issues.
How would you conclude this interview?
The ADC in Lagos State practices transformational politics. Our passion is to genuinely impact lives and govern with the people at the centre of our decision-making.
Let me quote a modern Korean king who once said, “The only duty of a king is to love his people.” If leaders truly love the people they serve, that love will be reflected in their policies and leadership style. This philosophy guides my leadership as ADC Lagos State Chairman.
